Sun reflector booth

ABSTRACT

A reflective booth or enclosure for sunning formed by attached, identical panels which can be conveniently assembled from detached, stacked condition to fully setup condition. The booth is locked in setup condition by means of adjustably positioned holddown members or bars which utilize the weight of a cot or chaise and its occupant to provide stability for the enclosure.

United States Patent Janice 11. Baker 57 71 N. Ewing St., Indianapolis, Ind.

[72] Inventors 46201; Arthur G. Howard, 4130 Englewood Drive, Indianapolis, Ind. 46226 [21] Appl. No. 856,590 [22] Filed Sept. 10, 1969 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [54] SUN REFLECTOR BOOTH 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 128/372, 16/170, 16/171, 135/4, 160/229 [51] Int. Cl A61h 33/06 Field of Search ..128/371-374, 362, 395; 5/331, 16/170, 171;

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,563,736 12/1925 Fink 128/371 1,617,435 2/1927 Coleman et al 128/372 X 1,644,664 10/1927 Banbury 128/372 X 1,733,756 10/1929 Rittenhouse et a1 128/372 1,945,360 l/1934 Abraham et a1. 128/372 2,078,975 5/1937 Roberts 128/372 2,763,014 9/1956 Luger 5/331 2,938,227 5/1960 Lhota 16/171 X 2,981,256 4/1961 Besnah 128/372 3,230,962 l/1966 Hoiness et al. 135/4 3,428,108 2/1969 Singer 160/229 X Primary Examiner-Richard A Gaudet Assistant Examiner-Kyle L. Howell Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton ABSTRACT: A reflective booth or enclosure for sunning formed by attached, identical panels which can be conveniently assembled from detached, stacked condition to fully setup condition. The booth is locked in setup condition by means of adjustably positioned holddown members or bars which utilize the weight of a cot or chaise and its occupant to provide stability for the enclosure PATENTEDBU Sm?! SHEET10F2 INVENTORS JANICE H.' BAKER ARTHUR HOWARD Low UMJYLCMHMMW ATTORNEYS mamuiw m I $510,249

' sum 2 [1F 2 I INVENTORS JANCE H BAKER Amuun G. Howmzo Ban ui \QQLMZM m ATTORNEYS sun REFLECTOR BOOTH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Booths or enclosures, having reflective surfaces and used to provide privacy in sunbathing are well known in the prior art. US. Pat. Nos. 2,981,256 and 3,023,753 disclose typical prior art structures.

The structure of the present invention has advantages in that it is light and easily setup or assembled. All of the panels are identical, thus simplifying manufacture and stocking of the booth assemblies. Transverse holddown bars, extending across the open base of the assembled booth, can be adjustably positioned so that a chaise or cot has its legs resting on the transverse bars so that this weight serves to anchor the booth and provide stability with respect to wind forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a booth assembly embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single panel of the assembly.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view taken generally along the line of 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. 1, the booth or enclosure of the present invention is illustrated as having a generally rectangular shape with the sides being formed by panels 10, ll, 12 and I3, and the ends being formed by panels 14 and 16. All of the panels are identical in size and configuration and are preferably formed of sheets of material having aluminized reflective surfaces. The structure is stabilized by transverse, holddown bars 17 and 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, one of the panels is shown in detail. The central sheet forming the panel is framed by intersecting tubular members a at the sheet margins. The tubular members are preferably formed of aluminum tubing so that the completed panel is relatively light in weight.

The means for joining the successive panels in end-to-end relation include extending flanges 21 and 22 (FIG. 2) rigidly secured to the frame members at diagonally opposite corners of each panel. The flanges extend slightly beyond the panel margin and each carries an inwardly extending pin or abutment 23 and 24 respectively. At the other two diagonally opposite corners of each panel flanges 26 and 27 extend outwardly, the flanges each having an aperture 26a and 270, respectively, which is adapted to accommodate the pin, corresponding to pins 23 and 24, of the next adjacent panel. This connection provides a convenient means for detachably securing the panels together.

Stabilizing members 17 and 18 have generally U-shaped resilient clamp brackets 31 secured rigidly adjacent each of the ends of the transverse members. As will be evident from FIG. 3, the brackets 31 grip the adjacent frame members to hold the facing panels in rigid, spaced position. An important feature of these transverse members and of their cooperation with the panels relates to the ability to space the transverse members 17 and 18 selective distances from each other. The transverse members may thus be spaced so that these rigid elements underlie the legs of a chaise or cot which is placed in the booth, the weight of the cot and its occupant thus serving to hold the transverse members firmly against the supporting surface to stabilize the booth against wind forces.

Since each of the panels are identical, manufacturing and stocking problems are eased. Since each of the panels is quite light, the total weight is minimal and portability, a highly desirable feature in this type of structure, is assured. The means for attaching the panels is such that either or both of the end panels may be easily swung open for entry into the booth or may be left open for air circulation.

We claim: l. A booth assembly for sunbathing comprising a plurality of identical rectangular panels, each of said panels being formed of a light-reflective sheet framed by intersecting tubular members at its margins, each panel further having at diagonally opposite comers a flange extending slightly beyond the panel and carrying an inwardly extending pin, the other diagonally opposite comers of each panel having similarly extending flanges apertured to accommodate the flange pins of an adjacent panel, said panels being detachably secured to each other in end-to-end relation to form a generally rectangular enclosure with the flange pins inserted into the flange apertures of adjacent panels, a plurality of transverse members extending across the open base of the booth, each of said transverse members having a generally U-shaped resilient clamp at each of its ends gripping the marginal tubular frame member of the adjacent panel, said transverse members being adjustably spaced from each other so as to underlie an occupant of the booth and thereby provide a stabilizing holddown force when the booth is occupied. 

1. A booth assembly for sunbathing comprising a plurality of identical rectangular panels, each of said panels being formed of a light-reflective sheet framed by intersecting tubular members at its margins, each panel further having at diagonally opposite corners a flange extending slightly beyond the panel and carrying an inwardly extending pin, the other diagonally opposite corners of each panel having similarly extending flanges apertured to accommodate the flange pins of an adjacent panel, said panels being detachably secured to each other in end-to-end relation to form a generally rectangular enclosure with the flange pins inserted into the flange apertures of adjacent panels, a plurality of transverse members extending across the open base of the booth, each of said transverse members having a generally Ushaped resilient clamp at each of its ends gripping the marginal tubular frame member of the adjacent panel, said transverse members being adjustably spaced from each other so as to underlie an occupant of the booth and thereby provide a stabilizing holddown force when the booth is occupied. 